2 answers
Ande
Student
Mazomanie, Wisconsin
5
Questions
Asked
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How does a college schedule differ from a highschool schedule?
I know that in college you have a major and a minor ( Or multiple minors/ majors?) and a certain amount of credits you need to take a year to graduate like in high school, but how is it different from high school? How do minors work and is it normal to take more than one or is it easier to just complete one? How do you know if you should take a double major? Is it better to take a minor or just take a few classes in a field if you have the time? I know you have someone in the school who helps you fit things into your schedule but how flexible is it compared to high school scheduling? And are some classes at strict times or do they depend on students' interest in the class?
Sorry it's a lot of questions I'm just really confused on this area
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2 answers
Beverly Schott
Academic coaching, advising and teaching
21
Answers
Canton, Connecticut
Updated
Beverly’s Answer
Hi Ande,
Wow! You pose several questions and they all seem to lead to the same response.
In college vs high school, you will spend less time in class and more time studying and working independently. College classes are given on a semester or 15-week basis rather than a full school year of 180 days.
High school and college differ in several ways.
First, students select classes with their advisor and these classes fit into your major or concentration. The first couple of years in college focus on General Education or Liberal Arts classes to form a foundation for your major later on. You choose the times/days the classes are given based on the number of sections for each class. Larger colleges and universities offer several sections of the same class.
Next, you can set a schedule that works best for you, based on when your classes are offered. You may have all daytime, online or evening classes--or a combination of all.
As far as majors and minors are concerned, college advisors will help you select programs based on your career goal and the focus you wish to pursue.
I suggest you set up a plan. Start with your high school guidance counselor for direction. Then, speak with admissions officers at the colleges where you plan to apply. Look at the online majors to see if you find what you would like to study. Also, attend open house and information sessions to engage with professors and program coordinators to hone in on your career goals and the classes/majors needed to get there.
Best wishes in your college journey!
Wow! You pose several questions and they all seem to lead to the same response.
In college vs high school, you will spend less time in class and more time studying and working independently. College classes are given on a semester or 15-week basis rather than a full school year of 180 days.
High school and college differ in several ways.
First, students select classes with their advisor and these classes fit into your major or concentration. The first couple of years in college focus on General Education or Liberal Arts classes to form a foundation for your major later on. You choose the times/days the classes are given based on the number of sections for each class. Larger colleges and universities offer several sections of the same class.
Next, you can set a schedule that works best for you, based on when your classes are offered. You may have all daytime, online or evening classes--or a combination of all.
As far as majors and minors are concerned, college advisors will help you select programs based on your career goal and the focus you wish to pursue.
I suggest you set up a plan. Start with your high school guidance counselor for direction. Then, speak with admissions officers at the colleges where you plan to apply. Look at the online majors to see if you find what you would like to study. Also, attend open house and information sessions to engage with professors and program coordinators to hone in on your career goals and the classes/majors needed to get there.
Best wishes in your college journey!
Thank you so much!!
Ande
Jeiana Lottie
Tutor/Youth Mentor/Human Resources Consultant
25
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Jeiana’s Answer
Having a college schedule is much more flexible than a high school schedule because after completing your A-G in college, you get to choose the classes that you want and when you want to take (like in the morning, afternoon, evening, or night) that would help you complete your major and/or minor. Depending on how well you manage your time with school work, social life, and extra-curricular activities. It's recommended to just have 1 major and maybe even 1 minor, so you could handle all of the classes that you'd have to take in a semester to meet your typical 4-year graduation date (you can always graduate earlier than this if you'd like, just be sure to take advantage of summer and winter term). Yes some classes are more difficult to get into depending on your major and the type of classes you would need to take (sometimes you have to be on the waitlist for classes). It is also your choice if you want to take a double major. while it can make you an competitive applicant to the job market, it is extremely time consuming in college, and you would definitely need to plan out your 4 years carefully if you are planning to double major and have a minor. Like I mentioned earlier you can always graduate earlier in college than the usual 4 year mark, however, the usual amount of credits to take a semester in order to graduate in 4 yrs is 16 credit hours (as a course is typically 4 credits itself). It all just depends on the institution that you are attending. Also please note that in high school you typically keep the same classes all year (for 2 semesters), in college this is not the case, you get to change classes every 16 weeks (a semester) or sometimes you get to change classes every 8 weeks (a term), sometimes you can even take 4-week courses (depending on if your college offers this). Hope this can ease some of your concerns.
Thank you, this is very helpful.
Ande